The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1887-06-09
THE TWO HEROINES.
Big Stories OF Two Clerks in
the United States Treasury.
The One Noted Army Nurse, the Other
Secretary seward's Housekeeper

i1uiuuei euyo' AAcIC uic uoW ShS"SSu
in the Division of Loans and Currency
of the Treasury Department at Wash.
iugton two lady employees who have
become widely known for their histori-
cal experience in war times, and one
gentleman who is tho son Of a former
President.
Miss Harriet P. Dame, the army nurse,
who won national fame by her four
years and eight months of perilous SER
vice with the Second New Hampshire
Regiment during the Civil war; deserves
first mention. Her career has been re-
pcatedly published in part, but no writer
who attempts to chronicle all her thrill
ing, trying experiences under deadly
fire on the field of battle, exposed to the
contending elements ofhcaveu, or over
wounded, sick and dying soldiers in the
hospitals, need ever hope to be success
full. As a matter of fact, and not
merely of sentiment, her history is
written in scars held under her minister
Ing hands, in hearts to whom she by
her presence and deeds brought hope
und comfort amid tho suffcrings of war,
and in the memories of stricken suffering
ones, both blue and gray, for whom she
cared.
She was once taken prisoner at the
second battle of Bull Run aud detained
a week about Stoncw Jackson's head
quarters, in a tent specially provided for
her occupancy; but when the general
found on investigation that she was not
a spy, as suspected, he had her released
and permitted her to 60 undisturbcd.
She was sent on highly important and
responsible missions at various times by
the governor of New Hampshire and by
other officials and organizations, each
time returning with thoroughly reliable
and practical reports, and often doing
efficient work in securing needed re-
forms in the hospital and transportation
arrangements.
For q number of years since the war
her soldier friends had been urging her
at different times to secure pension for
her services, but she modestly maintained
that she wanted the soldiers pensioned
first, and that she could take care of
herself.
This remarkable woman had served
these four years and eight months amid
all the carnage and suffering of war for
the pttance Of Sc per month allowed
army nurses. BY special act of Con-
gress, secured by her friends, she was
given a pension Of $25 month, begin
ming on July 3, 1884. She allowed the
pension to run fer considerable time,
then taking the amount due her and
adding to the same from her modest
earnings in the government service she
built, at her own expense, house to be
used as the future headquarters of the
Second New Hampshire soldiers in their
reunions at the Weirs, Lake Winnepc-
saukee, n II. This cost her $1,000,
and ex Gov. Smith, governor of New
Hampshire at the close of the war, fur
nishcd tho house. At the close of the
war the state legislature of New Hamp-
shire presented her with some highly
appreciatvc resolutions, engrossed on
parchment, in recognition of her SER
vices, and also presented her with sum
of money.
She is now seventy.two years old, and
is well-prcservcd woman for her age.
She wears plain black dress, has we'll
formed, expressive features, dark eyes
and hair only partially turned to gray.
Her nose and forehead arc sharply and
yet becomingly outlined. She is en-
gagged as money counter at 5000 per
year.
Miss Margaret Coleman, in the same
division, was the housekeepcr for the
Seward family in Washington at the
time of the assassination of Lincoln and
the attempt on Secretary Stewards life.
The screams of Miss Fannie Seward,
who was in the room with her invalid
father when he was murderously attacked
by Payne, brought Miss Coleman to the
rescue, and when Payne heard her COM
ing he left Mr.. Seward, who in the
struggle had fallen out Of bed and was
found by Miss Coleman between the bed
and the wall, with his head still under
the clothes, and smothering in his own
blood. Payne had lost his hat and
paused moment 10 look in vain for
what was afterwards to be silent but
unimpeachable witness against him, then
rushed for the door, and, meeting Miss
Coleman threw himself against her,
hurting her against the door as it stood
open AMI dislocating her shoulder blade.
Further on he passed Miss Fannie in
his hot haste and made his escape.
Miss Coleman was with the Seward
family eight years, and witnessed the
rapid decline of both Mrs. Seward and
Miss Fannie, wno never survived the
shock of that terrible night OF the 14th
of April, 1865. Mrs. Seward died in
June. and Miss Fannie in the fall follow
inc, tho awful scenes of dissemination in
their home. Miss Coleman tells the
story as vivIdly as though it had been
witnessed scarcely an hour ago. She is
now fifty-seven years of age, and serves
as a messenger at $500 year. She
has been in the division twelve years.
An AniLar,S Gce eatest lifficnlIY.